Ombudsman

Institute of Public Administration of Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 280,000 - 409,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Toronto is seeking an Ombudsman responsible for investigating public complaints about government services. The role requires exceptional judgement, strong communication skills, and senior leadership experience in managing complex inquiries. The Ombudsman must possess practical knowledge of law and investigatory procedures. Compensation is competitive, aligning with the Deputy Minister’s salary range, and includes benefits. Interviews will be conducted in English, with only selected candidates contacted.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of making equitable decisions and exercising sound judgement.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to inspire trust and confidence.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in managing complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints from the public regarding Ontario government services.
• Issue summonses, request documentation and inspect premises.
• Prepare annual and special reports for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Skills

Communication skills

Judgement

Collaboration skills

Investigatory procedures knowledge

Dispute resolution skills

Fluency in both English and French

Job description

Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Toronto

• Closing Date: December 18, 2025
• Location: Toronto
• Job ID:LA-2025-108

Job Description

Competition Number: LA-2025-108
Closing Date: December 18, 2025

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial officer of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who investigates complaints from the public about Ontario government services. As an Officer of the House, the Ombudsman is non‑partisan and independent of the political process, the civil service, and interest groups.

Appointed by order of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for a term of five years, and with the option to be reappointed for one further term, the Ombudsman has a mandate to investigate any decision or recommendation made or any act done or omitted in the course of the administration of the broader public sector. This includes: Ontario government organizations (including agencies, boards, commissions, and tribunals), Municipalities, Universities, School Boards, French Language Services and Child Protection Services.

Issues for review may be raised by individuals, Members of Provincial Parliament, or on the Ombudsman’s own motion because of some action that has been taken or neglected to be taken by an official, or from some decision or recommendation.

The Ombudsman Act sets out the Ombudsman’s powers of investigation, which include the authority to issue summonses, request documentation from public sector bodies, require evidence under oath, and inspect premises. All provincial government organizations must cooperate with the Ombudsman’s investigations.

You will have a track record of making equitable decisions with sound judgement, with strong communication and collaboration skills, inspiring trust and confidence that are essential in this position. Complementing your knowledge of legislative systems and public sector management, you have demonstrated senior leadership experience in managing complex organizations, leading sensitive inquiries and identifying conflicts of interest, conducting investigations and making appropriate recommendations with a sound understanding of administration and legal rights.

Crucial to this position is practical knowledge of the law, investigatory procedures, ability to draw on formal dispute resolution and mediation skills to assess and resolve complaints ranging from dismissal to a formal hearing. With your experience working in a demanding environment, your strategic planning and management practice skills in a unionized environment round out the required level of expertise. Fluency in both official languages would be an asset.

The Ombudsman reports annually and issues special reports as appropriate, through the Speaker to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Compensation shall be within the Deputy Minister's salary range (MIN $280,343 – MAX $408,944 April 1, 2025) and includes a defined benefit pension and group health care benefits.

Please note the interview process will be conducted in English. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please visit us at www.ola.org and select “Careers” at the bottom of the page for more details.

While we appreciate your interest in this position, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.